252 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



to make tlie application, or in other words, not being acquainted and under- 

 standing the requirements of his own farm. For instance, deep plowing is 

 advocated as highly important; which is true, if properly managed. It brings 

 to the surface elements heretofore undisturbed, that have never been drawn by 

 crops, and forms a bed in which plants may root deep, enabling them to better 

 stand the dry weather that may now be regarded as periodical. But it requires 

 a certain amount of experience and common sense to know when and under 

 what circumstances to practice it. 



Here, for example, is a farmer ready to commence his spring plowing. He 

 picks up some work on agriculture, and his attention is directed to that subject. 

 Tlie writer scientifically shows the great advantage in bringing to the surface 

 the various elements that have so long lain dormant, and chemically explains 

 their importawce as food for nourishment of the plant, and forcibly demon- 

 strates the loss sustained by the husbandman in skimming over the surface of 

 his farm year after year. lie at once becomes convinced of his error, and that 

 he has an inheritance of unlimited depth as well as many acres in breadth. 



Heretofore he has been turning the soil but six inches in depth, and is quite 

 out of sorts with himself that he should have given so little thought to the sub- 

 ject. He at once cautions his plowman that the furrow must now be put down 

 to at least ten inches. 



The directions are heeded and the ground, which is a heavy clay, is prepared 

 for the seed. Oats and barley are sown, and our enthusiast rejoices in the 

 hope of a greatly increased crop, and, it is not necessary to state, hopes in 

 vain ; the yield instead of being increased, is much reduced, and, perhaps, aa 

 entire failure, and the farmer thoroughly disgusted with deep plowing. He had 

 not, by experience or farther investigation of the subject, learned that such 

 soil required an exposure to the sun, atmosphere and frosts before it could be 

 made productive. 



Again, sliould he desire to engage in wool-growing and sheep breeding, hav- 

 ing had no previous experience, he would find himself a very inefficient judge to 

 select animals for that purpose, even though much theoretical study had been 

 given to the subject, and, should a purchase bo made, he would quite likely 

 learn, in after years, he had been sadly duped, and that he had on his hands 

 just what he did not desire. 



Theory will, in a great measure, set forth the requirements, but years of ex- 

 perience are necessary to make one an adept at the business. Tlie eye must, 

 become educated by comparison and practice, for no amount of theorizing can 

 accomplish the work, and even after having spent a lifetime in close thought 

 and study, there will be much yet to learn. 



The improvement in breeding animals often changes tliem constitutionally, 

 and therefore new diseases make their appearance, which balUc the skill of tlie 

 most experienced. 



Climatic changes from heat to cold, or wet to dry has its effect upon both 

 crops and animals, and the result is, xmiooked for changes often make their 

 appearance, and unnumbered little events are brought to the surface, that 

 tiieory cannot account for or explain. 



The farmer has to deal with natural laws ; therefore liis life should be one 

 of ceaseless study, and the nearer he approaclies to a perfect understanding of 

 her laws, and practices accordingly, the more complete will be his success. 



Prof. C. L. Ingersoll gave a lecture on *'13eef Breeds of Cattle." (See 

 lectures given at more than one institute.) 



